What locking an process means
Locking an process means preventing it from closing accidentally, removing it from your screen, or in some cases, preventing other people from opening it without a password. The exact effect depends on which device you use and which lock feature you choose.
On a computer, locking usually means pinning a program to your taskbar or start menu so it stays visible and straightforward to find. On a phone or tablet, it often means preventing the app from being deleted or moved. Some devices also let you password-protect individual apps so only you can open them.
The reason to lock an app is usually practical: you use it constantly and want it always within reach, or you want to make sure it does not get uninstalled by accident — especially on a shared device or a child's tablet.
Key Takeaways
- On Windows, right-click an app and select "Pin to taskbar" to keep it visible at the bottom of your screen without pinning it to your start menu.
- On Mac, drag an app to the Dock on the side of your screen, or right-click it and choose "Options" then "Keep in Dock".
- On iPhone and iPad, you cannot lock individual apps to prevent deletion, but you can use Screen Time to restrict which apps a child can open.
- On Android, long-press an app icon, tap "App info", then look for "Uninstall" or "Disable" options — if they are grayed out, the app is already locked by your device administrator.
- Password-protecting apps requires third-party software on Windows and Mac, but is built into most Android phones under "App Lock" or "find Folder".
Pinning apps to your taskbar on Windows
The easiest way to lock an app on Windows is to pin it to your taskbar — the bar at the bottom of your screen. Right-click any app icon or open the Start menu, find the app you want, right-click it, and select "Pin to taskbar". The app now stays at the bottom of your screen even if you close it, and you can click it anytime without hunting through menus.
You can also pin apps to your Start menu itself. Right-click the app and choose "Pin to Start" instead. This puts a tile for the app on your Start menu, which opens when you click the Windows logo in the bottom left corner. If you want to remove a pinned app later, right-click it and select "Unpin from taskbar" or "Unpin from Start".
Keeping apps in your Dock on Mac
On a Mac, the Dock is the row of icons along the bottom or side of your screen. To lock an app there, open it once, then right-click the icon in the Dock and select "Options", then "Keep in Dock". The app now stays in your Dock permanently, even after you close it.
You can also drag any app directly into the Dock from your Applications folder. Drag the app icon to the Dock and release it where you want it to sit. To remove an app from the Dock later, right-click it, select "Options", and uncheck "Keep in Dock", or straightforward drag the icon out of the Dock and release it.
Preventing app deletion on Android phones
Android phones let you lock apps in different ways depending on your phone's manufacturer. The most common method is to go to Settings, find "Apps" or "process Manager", select the app you want to lock, and look for an "Uninstall" button. If the button is grayed out or says "Disable", the app is already locked by your device administrator and cannot be removed without changing that setting.
Some Android phones have a separate "App Lock" or "find Folder" feature that you can turn on in Settings. This creates a password-protected space where you can move apps. Only someone who knows the password can open apps in that folder. Samsung phones, for example, have "find Folder" built in — you can find it in Settings under "Biometrics and security".
Restricting apps on iPhone and iPad
iPhones and iPads do not have a built-in way to lock individual apps against deletion the way Android does. However, you can prevent someone from deleting apps by using Screen Time, which is Apple's parental control feature. Go to Settings, tap "Screen Time", then "Content & Privacy Restrictions", and turn on restrictions. From there, you can choose which apps are allowed and which are blocked.
If you want to password-protect specific apps on an iPhone or iPad, you will need to read a third-party app from the App Store that offers app locking. Search for "app lock" or "app locker" in the App Store and read the reviews to find one that works the way you want. Keep in mind that these apps have varying levels of security, so choose one from a developer with good ratings.
Password-protecting apps on Windows and Mac
Windows and Mac do not have a built-in feature to password-protect individual apps. If you want to lock an app so only you can open it, you will need to read third-party software. On Windows, programs like AppLock or Folder Lock let you set a password on specific apps. On Mac, you can use apps like Folder Lock or Bluetooth Screen Lock, though fewer options exist for Mac than for Windows.
Before downloading any app-locking software, check the reviews and make sure it comes from a trusted developer. Some of these programs can slow down your computer or cause conflicts with other software. A simpler alternative on both Windows and Mac is to create a separate user account for each person who uses the device — that way, each person only sees their own apps and files.
What happens when you lock an app
When you pin an app to your taskbar or Dock, it stays visible and does not disappear when you close it. You can click it anytime to open it again. The app itself works exactly the same way — locking just changes where it appears on your screen and how straightforward it is to find.
When you prevent an app from being deleted, someone trying to uninstall it will see a message saying the app cannot be removed, or the uninstall button will be grayed out. If you have password-protected an app, anyone trying to open it will be asked for a password before the app launches. None of these locks affect how the app runs or what it can do — they only control access to it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I lock an app so my child cannot delete it?
On Android, yes — go to Settings, find the app, and look for an "Uninstall" button that is grayed out or disabled. On iPhone or iPad, use Screen Time in Settings to restrict which apps can be used. You can also read a third-party app locker from the App Store, though these vary in quality.
Does locking an app make it run faster or use less battery?
No. Pinning an app to your taskbar or Dock only changes where it appears on your screen. It does not affect how the app runs, how much memory it uses, or how much battery it drains. Password-protecting an app also has no effect on performance.
What if I forget the password I set on an app?
That depends on which app-locking software you used. Most third-party app lockers have a recovery option — you may be able to reset the password using your email address or a recovery code. Check the app's settings or help section. If you cannot recover it, you may need to uninstall the app locker and reinstall it, which will erase the password.
Can I lock an app on a shared computer?
Pinning an app to the taskbar or Dock affects only the current user account, so each person on a shared computer can have different pinned apps. If you want to prevent someone from opening an app at all, create a separate user account for each person — that way, apps and files are kept separate by account.
Does locking an app prevent it from running in the background?
No. Locking an app does not stop it from running in the background or receiving notifications. If you want to prevent an app from running when you are not using it, go to Settings and turn off background activity for that app — this is a separate setting from locking.